Nigeria’s passport has improved its position on the global scale, yet Nigerians can now enter fewer countries without a visa, according to the latest data from the Henley Passport Index.
The April 2026 ranking places Nigeria 89th in the world, up from 95th in January 2024. The shift marks a six-place rise since President Bola Tinubu assumed office in May 2023. However, this upward movement has not translated into wider travel access.
Available figures show that Nigerian passport holders can now travel to only 44 countries without a visa, down from 46 in 2025 and 45 in 2024. This means that despite the improved ranking, actual mobility has declined.
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A closer look at the data reveals a mixed picture. Nigeria gained access to nine new destinations between 2025 and 2026, including Fiji, Micronesia, Mozambique, Rwanda, Togo, Samoa, Palau Islands, Niue and Montserrat. At the same time, at least seven countries tightened entry rules for Nigerians.
Among them is Ethiopia, which ended its visa-on-arrival policy for Nigerians in October 2022. Travellers must now obtain visas before departure. Zambia has also introduced strict visa requirements for West African passport holders, while Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mauritania, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Somalia have all moved Nigerians into the “visa required” category.
None of these changes was linked to formal disputes with Nigeria. They were largely administrative decisions by the countries involved.
Analysts say the rise in ranking does not always reflect stronger passport power. Instead, it may result from other countries falling lower on the index. The ranking is based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and measures how many destinations passport holders can access without prior visas.
Across Africa, Nigeria remains behind several peers. Ghana ranks 67th with access to 67 destinations, while The Gambia stands at 66th with 68 destinations. South Africa leads the continent at 46th, offering visa-free access to 100 countries.
Globally, Singapore holds the top spot, with its citizens able to visit 192 destinations without a visa. Afghanistan ranks last, with access to just 23 destinations.
Experts link Nigeria’s shrinking visa-free access to internal challenges. Researcher Charles Onunaiju said increasing migration pressure has made foreign governments more cautious. He noted that many embassies now apply stricter checks to Nigerian applicants.
Another source familiar with passport issuance explained that visa policies depend largely on agreements between countries. He added that improving passport technology and meeting international standards remain key priorities for Nigeria.
The figures present a clear contrast. While Nigeria’s passport appears to be climbing on paper, the reality for travellers suggests a tightening global gate.
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